Emission-capturing apparatus and method for capturing emissions from an ejection port

ABSTRACT

An emission-capturing apparatus includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a muffler fluidly coupled with the outlet to intercept fluid exiting the outlet, permit passage of gas through the muffler, and inhibit passage of liquid through the muffler. The apparatus further includes a hose having a tank end and a distal end. The tank end is coupled to the inlet. The apparatus further includes a fitting fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose. The fitting is configured to be fluidly coupled to an end section of an ejection port of a vehicle to receive an emission from the ejection port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/084,157 which was filed on Mar. 29, 2016, theentire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to aircraft and moreparticularly relates to aircraft manufacturing, testing, andmaintenance.

BACKGROUND

The landing gears, such as the main landing gear and nose landing gear,of aircrafts are commonly configured to retract into the aircraft duringflight and to deploy prior to landings. For example, the nose landinggear of a fixed wing aircraft is commonly configured to retract into thefuselage of the aircraft during flight and to deploy prior to landings.The retraction and the deployment of the landing gear are hydraulicallyactuated. Sometimes, however, hydraulic systems malfunction. Modernaircrafts include an emergency system that can deploy the landing gearin the event that the hydraulic system fails during flight. Suchemergency systems use a canister of compressed gas (commonly nitrogen)to deploy the landing gear.

These emergency systems are tested when the aircraft is manufactured.The aircraft is hoisted above the ground and the compressed gas isdischarged to confirm that the landing gear will deploy. This isreferred to a “blow down” test. This blow down test is repeated a numberof times during the manufacturing process to confirm the efficacy of theemergency system and is also performed from time to time after theaircraft has been placed in service.

When the compressed gas is released, hydraulic fluid in the hydrauliclines will be exposed to the compressed gas and will be emitted from theaircraft via an ejection port that extends, for example, from inside thefuselage, where it is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic lines for thelanding gear, to the side of the aircraft. The hydraulic fluid may beemitted as a mist, as a liquid, and/or a combination of the two.Accordingly, the technicians performing the test and any other personsin the vicinity of the aircraft during such testing may be exposed tothe emitted hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid is a caustic substance thatcan irritate a person's skin, eyes, and lungs. For this reason, contactwith the hydraulic fluid emitted during blow down testing isundesirable.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an emission-capturing apparatusand a method for capturing emissions from an ejection port of anaircraft. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics willbecome apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsand the foregoing technical field and background.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various non-limiting embodiments of an emission-capturing apparatus foruse with a vehicle that includes an ejection port, and variousnon-limiting embodiments of a method for capturing emissions from anejection port, are disclosed herein.

In a first non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus includes, but is notlimited to, a tank having an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus furtherincludes, but is not limited to, a muffler fluidly coupled with theoutlet. The muffler is configured to intercept fluid exiting the outlet,to permit passage of gas through the muffler, and to inhibit passage ofliquid through the muffler. The apparatus further includes, but is notlimited to, a hose having a tank end and a distal end. The tank end isfluidly coupled to the inlet of the tank. The apparatus still furtherincludes, but is not limited to, a fitting that is fluidly coupled tothe distal end of the hose. The fitting is configured to be fluidlycoupled to an end section of the ejection port to receive an emissionfrom the ejection port.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes, but is notlimited to, the step of positioning an emission-capturing apparatusproximate the ejection port. The emission-capturing apparatus includes,but is not limited to, a tank having an inlet and an outlet. Theemission-capturing apparatus further includes, but is not limited to, amuffler that is fluidly coupled with the outlet. The muffler isconfigured to intercept fluid exiting the outlet, to permit passage ofgas through the muffler, and to inhibit passage of liquid through themuffler. The emission-capturing apparatus further includes, but is notlimited to, a hose having a tank end and a distal end. The tank end isfluidly coupled to the inlet of the tank. The emission-capturingapparatus still further includes, but is not limited to, a fittingfluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose. The fitting is configuredto be fluidly coupled to an end section of the ejection port to receivean emission from the ejection port. The method further includes, but isnot limited to, the step of coupling the fitting to the end section ofthe ejection port. The method still further includes, but is not limitedto capturing the emission emanating from the ejection port with theemission-capturing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is an environmental view illustrating an aircraft and anon-limiting embodiment of an emission-capturing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged portion of theaircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the emission-capturing apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front view of a portion of theemission-capturing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of another portion of theemission-capturing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of another portion of theemission-capturing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the portion of FIG. 6,depicted from a different viewing angle;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a portion of theemission-capturing apparatus fluidly coupled to the aircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of amethod for capturing an emission from an ejection port of a vehicle;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of anemission-capturing apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of theemission-capturing apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of theemission-capturing apparatus of FIG. 10 and an inner portion of anaircraft inside the fuselage including a portion of a nose landing gearand a section of an ejection port; and

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of amethod for capturing an emission from an ejection port of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theorypresented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription.

An apparatus for capturing the emission from an ejection port thatextends, for example, from an inside area of a vehicle to a surface onthe side of the vehicle is taught herein. In a first exemplaryembodiment, the emission-capturing apparatus includes a tank thatincludes an inlet and an outlet. In the exemplary embodiment, a muffleris attached to the outlet of the tank in a fluid tight manner.Throughout this document, the terms “water tight”, “fluid tight”, and“fluidly coupled” are used interchangeably and any suitable method forensuring a water tight connection may be employed without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

The muffler is configured to allow gaseous material to pass through themuffler but to inhibit the passage of liquids through the muffler. Inthe exemplary embodiment, a hose is attached to the inlet of the tank ina fluid tight manner. At an opposite end of the hose, the hose isattached to a coupler in a fluid tight manner. The second end of thehose is attached to the coupler at a drain hole that extends through themuffler. In this manner, the coupler does not close off the hose, butrather, the drain hole through the coupler acts as an extension of thehose and serves to guide fluids into the second end of the hose.

In the exemplary embodiment, the coupler is configured to be positionedon the surface of the vehicle over the ejection port and to be coupledto the surface in a fluid tight manner. The coupler is to be coupled tothe side of the vehicle such that the opening in the coupler that leadsto the second end of the hose is aligned with, and positioned over theejection port so as to receive emissions emitted from the ejection port.In the exemplary embodiment, the opening in the coupler has a largerdiameter than the diameter of the ejection port. Accordingly, in theexemplary embodiment, the coupler is configured to catch all emissionsemitted from the ejection port.

The exemplary embodiment further includes a vacuum generator and avacuum line. One end of the vacuum line is fluidly coupled with thevacuum generator and the other end of the vacuum line is fluidly coupledwith the coupler. The coupler has a vacuum hole extending through thecoupler. The second end of the vacuum line is fluidly coupled with thecoupler at the vacuum hole such that the vacuum can be applied at thedistant side of the coupler. When the vacuum generator is actuated whilethe coupler is positioned adjacent the side of the vehicle over theejection port, the coupler will be coupled to the side of the vehiclevia the vacuum and will remain coupled in this manner until the vacuumis deactivated.

With the coupler coupled to the side of the vehicle over the ejectionport, the blow down test may be conducted. The fluid emitted from theejection port (which may be gaseous, liquid, or a combination thereof)will pass through the opening of the coupler and continue into the hosewhere it will be guided into the tank. As the fluid enters into thetank, the pressure inside the tank will become elevated. The fluidinside the tank (i.e., a mixture of air, nitrogen gas, atomizedhydraulic fluid, and liquid hydraulic fluid) will attempt to exit thetank through the outlet. The outlet is obstructed by the muffler. Themuffler will allow the gases to exit, but will obstruct the liquids fromexiting. The liquids will then drain back into the tank where they willremain safely stored until drained and disposed of. Towards that end, aconduit and a valve are attached to the tank to permit the tank to bedrained.

In a second exemplary embodiment, an emission-capturing apparatusincludes a tank, a muffler, and a hose as discussed above but without acoupler and the use of a vacuum generator and a vacuum line to couplethe coupler to the side of the vehicle. Rather, the emission-capturingapparatus includes a fitting that is fluidly coupled to a distal end ofthe hose that is opposite the tank end. The fitting is configured to bedirectly or indirectly attached to an end section of the ejection portto fluidly couple the fitting to the ejection port in a fluid tightmanner to receive or otherwise catch all or substantially all of theemissions emitted from the ejection port. The end section of theejection port may be a distal-most end of the ejection port that isdisposed on the side of the vehicle. Alternatively, the ejection portmay be formed of two or more sections of conduit in which a distal-mostsection(s) is removed to expose a distal end of an intermediate orupstream section of the conduit inside the vehicle, for example, withina fuselage of an aircraft shortly downstream of where the ejection portis fluidly coupled to hydraulic lines for a landing gear (e.g., noselanding gear or a main landing gear).

With the fitting coupled to the end section of the ejection port, theblow down test may be conducted. The fluid emitted from the ejectionport (which may be gaseous, liquid, or a combination thereof) will passthrough the fitting and continue into the hose where it will be guidedinto the tank. As the fluid enters into the tank, the pressure insidethe tank will become elevated. The fluid inside the tank (i.e., amixture of air, nitrogen gas, atomized hydraulic fluid, and liquidhydraulic fluid) will attempt to exit the tank through the outlet. Theoutlet is obstructed by the muffler. The muffler will allow the gases toexit, but will obstruct the liquids from exiting. The liquids will thendrain back into the tank where they will remain safely stored untildrained and disposed of. Towards that end, a conduit and a valve areattached to the tank to permit the tank to be drained.

A greater understanding of the emission-capturing apparatuses describedabove and of methods for capturing the emission from an ejection portmay be obtained through a review of the illustrations accompanying thisapplication together with a review of the detailed description thatfollows.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view illustrating an aircraft 10 having aside 12 of a fuselage and a nose landing gear 14. Aircraft 10 issuspended above a floor/ground surface by a hoist (not shown) and noselanding gear 14 is disposed in a deployed position. Also illustrated inFIG. 1 is a non-limiting embodiment of an emission-capturing apparatus20. Emission-capturing apparatus 20 is illustrated while coupled withside 12 and arranged to capture an emission emitted from an ejectionport, for example, disposed in side 12. Although the figures of thepresent disclosure and the discussion contained herein center aroundcapturing emissions from an ejection port of an aircraft during a blowdown procedure, it should be understood that the emission-capturingapparatus disclosed herein is not limited to this use or this context.Rather, the emission-capturing apparatus disclosed herein may be used tocollect any emission emitted from any ejection port associated with anyvehicle or any structure having an ejection port or an exhaust port.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an expanded portion of side12. Emission-capturing apparatus 20 of FIG. 1 has been omitted from thisview to allow an unobstructed view of ejection port 16. As discussedabove, hydraulic fluid resides in the hydraulic lines of aircraft 10.Those hydraulic lines are fluidly coupled with ejection port 16. Furtherand as discussed in greater detail below, ejection port 16 may be formedof one or more sections of conduit that extend distally within thefuselage of aircraft 10 fluidly coupled to the hydraulic lines to side12. As such, in an exemplary embodiment, ejection port 16 shown in FIG.2 at side 12 illustrates a distal-most end section of the ejection port16. When aircraft 10 undergoes blow down testing, hydraulic fluidresiding in those hydraulic lines will be emitted from ejection port 16.Compressed gas (e.g., nitrogen) may be used to deploy nose landing gear14 during the blow down testing procedure and/or during actual in-flightemergency actuation of the nose landing gear. Depending upon thepressure of the compressed gas, the hydraulic fluid that is emitted fromejection port 16 may be either partially or completely atomized and thusthe emission may be either liquid, gas, or a combination of the two.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view and FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front viewillustrating emission-capturing device 20. Emission-capturing apparatus20 includes a tank 22. Tank 22 may be any suitable hollow or partiallyhollow fluid-tight collection tank or other container suitable forreceiving and for storing hydraulic fluid. By providing tank 22 with asubstantially wider diameter than ejection port 16 and a substantiallywider diameter than the hose used to deliver the emitted hydraulic fluidto tank 22, tank 22 is able to step down the pressure of the pressurizedfluid emitted by ejection port 16.

Tank 22 includes an inlet 24, an outlet 26 (best seen in FIG. 4), anoutlet 28 (best seen in FIG. 4), and an outlet 30. The pressure of thepressurized fluid emitted from ejection port 16 is diminished upon entryinto tank 22 but, is nevertheless, greater than ambient pressure.Accordingly, the pressurized fluid which enters tank 22 via inlet 24will immediately exit tank 22 via outlets 26, 28, and 30 unless it isobstructed.

To obstruct the pressurized, atomized hydraulic fluid from exiting viaoutlets 26, 28, and 30, those outlets are fitted with mufflers. Outlet26 is fitted with two mufflers, muffler 36 and muffler 38. Outlet 28 isalso fluidly coupled with two mufflers, muffler 32 and muffler 34. Toaccommodate two mufflers from a single outlet, a splitter is fluidlycoupled directly to the outlet and then each muffler is fluidly coupledto opposite ends of the splitter. For example, a splitter 27 is fluidlycoupled with outlet 26 and a splitter 29 is fluidly coupled with outlet28. Finally, outlet 30 is fluidly coupled with a single muffler, muffler40. In other embodiments different configurations may be employed. Forexample, in some embodiments, a single muffler or multiple mufflersfewer than five may be employed without departing from the teachings ofthe present disclosure. In still other embodiments, greater than fivemufflers may be employed without departing from the teachings of thepresent disclosure.

Mufflers 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40 may be any suitable muffler effective topermit gas to pass through the muffler while contemporaneouslyobstructing liquid from passing through the muffler. Mufflers 32, 34,36, 38, and 40 may include baffles, filters, and other internalstructures that are configured to inhibit and obstruct liquid frompassing through the muffler, but which are porous to gasses. Thus, themufflers permit the pressurized gas in tank 22 to exit while retainingthe hydraulic fluid within tank 22. In this manner, any overpressure intank 22 arising from the inflow of the pressurized gas and hydraulicfluid will be dissipated.

Emission-capturing apparatus 20 further includes a hose 42 and a coupler50. Hose 42 is configured to deliver the hydraulic fluid emitted fromejection port 16 (see FIG. 2) to tank 22. Hose 42 has an end 44 and anend 46. End 44 is fluidly coupled with inlet 24, while end 46 is coupledwith coupler 50.

Coupler 50 includes a drain hole. When coupler 50 is positioned overejection port 16 with the drain hole aligned with ejection port 16, andwhen coupler 50 is fluidly coupled to side 12, then coupler 50 supportsend 46 of hose 42 in a position to receive all of the hydraulic fluidemitted by ejection port 16. This will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

Emission-capturing apparatus 20 further includes a vacuum generator 60and a vacuum line 62. In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum generator 60is mounted to tank 22. It should be understood that in otherembodiments, vacuum generator need not be mounted to tank 22. Vacuumgenerator 60 may comprise any devise effective to generate a vacuum ondemand. In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum generator 60 is configuredto operate on compressed air (i.e., to operate pneumatically). In otherembodiments, any type of vacuum generator may be employed withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Vacuum line 62 is fluidly coupled with vacuum generator 60 at an end 64(best seen in FIG. 5) and is fluidly coupled at an end 66 (best seen inFIGS. 6-8) with a vacuum hole in coupler 50. The vacuum generated byvacuum generator 60 is transmitted via vacuum line 62 to the vacuum holeof coupler 50 and coupler 50 utilizes the vacuum to fluidly couple toside 12 (see FIG. 8) and to remain coupled with side 12 as long as thevacuum is present.

Emission-capturing apparatus 20 further includes a pressure gage 68 anda vacuum gage 70. Pressure gage 68 is fluidly coupled with tank 22 (bestseen in FIG. 5) and is configured to detect and display the pressure ofthe gases within tank 22. Vacuum gage 70 is fluidly coupled to vacuumline 62 and to vacuum generator 60 (best seen in FIG. 5) and isconfigured to measure the pressure of gas in vacuum line 62. These gagesenable a user to monitor the respective pressures in tank 22 and vacuumline 62.

Emission-capturing apparatus 20 further includes a cart 72. Cart 72includes wheels 74 which permit a user to position emission-capturingapparatus 20 in a position proximate to aircraft 10 and to repositionemission-capturing apparatus 20 next to another aircraft or elsewhereafter completion of the blow down test. In other embodiments,emission-capturing apparatus 20 may omit cart 72 or, alternatively, mayemploy other means of mobility.

FIG. 5 is an expanded view illustrating a portion of emission-capturingapparatus 20. In this view, the fluid coupling between pressure gage 68and tank 22 and the fluid coupling between vacuum gage 70 and vacuumgenerator 60 and vacuum line 62 can be viewed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented perspective view presenting an enlarged view ofcoupler 50 and a portion of vacuum line 62 including end 66 and aportion of hose 42 including end 46. The side of coupler 50 presented inFIG. 6 is the side that will be positioned adjacent to side 12 (see FIG.1). In this view, drain hole 52 and vacuum hole 54 can be viewed. Drainhole 52 and vacuum hole 54 extend through coupler 50 and serve tofacilitate the passage of hydraulic fluid emitted from ejection port 16(see FIG. 1) and to facilitate the passage of air when the vacuum isapplied, respectively.

A seal 56 is disposed around a periphery of coupler 50 and a seal 58 isdisposed around a periphery of drain hole 52. Seal 56 and seal 58provide an air-tight boundary to contain the vacuum between coupler 50and side 12 (see FIG. 2) when the vacuum is actuated by vacuum generator60 (see FIG. 5) and transmitted through vacuum line 62 (see FIG. 3) andthrough vacuum hole 54. This contained region of vacuum permits coupler50 to remain coupled with side 12 (see FIG. 2) via suction. Bypositioning seal 56 around the periphery of coupler 50, the vacuum canbe applied across a relatively wide surface area and thereby provide arobust connection. By positioning seal 58 around the periphery of drainhole 52, a barrier is formed between the vacuum and the drain hole. Thisensures that the emission leaving ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2) is notexposed to the vacuum and redirected into vacuum hole 54 and down intovacuum line 62. A channel 59 is defined in, and extends along a surface57 of coupler 50. Channel 59 fluidly communicates with vacuum hole 54and provides a route for air trapped between surface 57 and side 12 (seeFIG. 2) to escape through vacuum hole 54.

FIG. 7 illustrates an underside of coupler 50, with hose 42 removed. Inthe illustrated embodiment, vacuum line 62 is fluidly coupled withvacuum hole 54 (see FIG. 6) via a threaded engagement. A threadedreceiver 76 is disposed on the underside of coupler 50 and is configuredfor fluid coupling with end 46 (see FIG. 6) of hose 42 (see FIG. 6) viaa threaded engagement. While threaded engagements are illustrated inFIG. 7 and elsewhere in this disclosure, it should be understood thatany type of engagement that provides a fluid-tight connection betweenfluid-carrying components may alternately be employed.

With hose 42 (see FIG. 6) removed, a technician is permitted to lookthrough drain hole 52. This facilitates the coupling of coupler 50 withside 12 (see FIG. 2) because it allows a technician to peer throughdrain hole 52 and visually locate ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2). Whilemaintaining visual contact with ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2), thetechnician places coupler 50 up against side 12 (see FIG. 2) andpositions coupler 50 so that drain hole 52 is aligned with ejection port16 (see FIG. 2). With coupler 50 disposed in this manner, vacuumgenerator 60 (see FIG. 5) is actuated, air is evacuated from the spacebetween coupler 50 and side 12 (see FIG. 2) and coupler 50 will be heldin place by suction. Once this has occurred, hose 42 (see FIG. 6) may berecoupled to coupler 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, drain hole 52 has a larger diameter thanejection port 16 (see FIG. 2). This ensures that all emissions emittedfrom ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2) will enter drain hole 52. In otherembodiments, drain hole 52 may have a substantially equal diameter or asmaller diameter than ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2) without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating coupler 50 coupled with side12. Vacuum generator 60 (see FIG. 5) has been actuated and this permitscoupler 50 to remain attached to side 12 without any assistance from atechnician. Hose 42 has been recoupled with coupler 50 and is ready toreceive emissions from ejection port 16 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of amethod 80 for capturing an emission emanating from an ejection portdisposed in a surface of a vehicle. At step 82, an emission-capturingapparatus is positioned proximate to the ejection port on the side ofthe vehicle. With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-8, in someembodiments, the emission-capturing apparatus may be emission-capturingapparatus 20, described above. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, adetailed description of the components of the emission-capturingapparatus will be omitted.

At step 84, the vacuum generator of the emission-capturing apparatus isfluidly coupled with a source of compressed air (commonly referred to as“shop air”). This will enable the vacuum generator to apply a vacuumwhen actuated in examples where the vacuum generator is configured tooperate pneumatically. In other embodiments, rather than fluidlycoupling the vacuum generator to a source of compressed air, any othernecessary coupling may be applied that will permit the vacuum generatorto apply a vacuum.

At step 86, the coupler of the emission-capturing apparatus is coupledto the surface of the vehicle around the ejection port and positioned tocompletely cover the ejection port and oriented such that a drain holein the coupler and a hose fluidly coupled with the drain hole arepositioned to receive the emissions from the ejection port. This stepmay entail temporarily removing the hose from the coupler and visuallyaligning the drain hole with the ejection port. This step may alsoentail actuating the vacuum generator to cause the coupler to couplewith the side of the vehicle by suction.

At step 88, the emissions from the ejection port are captured by theemission-capturing apparatus. This may occur during a blow down test orduring any other activity that causes an emission to be emitted from theejection port.

At step 90, the coupler is decoupled from the side of the vehicle. Thisstep may entail observing a pressure gage associated with the tank ofthe emission-capturing apparatus and waiting until the internal pressureof the tank has returned to ambient before decoupling the coupler fromthe side of the vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an emission-capturingapparatus 120 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 11 is aperspective view illustrating an expanded portion of emission-capturingapparatus 120 of FIG. 10. Referring to FIGS. 10-11, emission-capturingapparatus 120 is similarly configured to emission-capturing apparatus 12illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-4 as discussed above and includes tank 22with inlet 24 and outlets 26, and 30, splitters 27 and 29, mufflers 32,34, 36, 38, and 40, hose 42, pressure gauge 68, cart 72 and wheels 74but without a coupler and without the use of a vacuum generator and avacuum line to couple the coupler to side 12 of aircraft 10. Notably,although emission-capturing apparatus 120 is shown as having a vacuumgenerator 60 and vacuum gage 70, it is to be understood that that thevacuum generator 60 and vacuum gage 70 are optional and are not requiredfor fluidly coupling hose 42 to ejection port 16 during operation of theemission-capturing apparatus 120. Rather, emission-capturing apparatus120 includes a fitting 122 that is fluidly coupled to hose 42 and thatis configured to be directly or indirectly attached to an end section ofejection port 16 to fluidly couple fitting 122 to ejection port 16 toreceive or otherwise catch all or substantially all emissions emittedfrom ejection port 16.

The end section of ejection port 16 may be a distal-most end of ejectionport 16 that is disposed on side 12 of aircraft 10 as illustrated inFIG. 1. Alternatively and as illustrated in FIG. 12, ejection port 16may be formed of two or more sections of conduit in which a distal-mostsection(s) has been removed to expose a distal end section 124 of anintermediate or upstream section of ejection port 16 inside the fuselageof aircraft 10, for example, within a wheel well area 126 where a wheelof a landing gear of aircraft 10 is stowed.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, opposite from end 44 (e.g., tank end) of hose42 is end 146 (e.g., distal end). Fitting 122 has an open end 128 and anopen end 130 that is in fluid communication with open end 128. As willbe discussed in further detail below, open end 130 of fitting 122 isconfigured to be fluidly coupled to end section 124 of ejection port 16to receive an emission from ejection port 16. Open end 128 of fitting122 is fluidly coupled to end 146 of hose 42 via adapters 132 and 134, ahose 136, and adapters 138 and 140.

In an exemplary embodiment, fitting 122 is an elbow fitting withthreaded male ends that define open ends 128 and 130. In one example,open end 128 is directly coupled via a threaded engagement with adapter132 and open end 130 is directly coupled via a threaded engagement withend section 124 of ejection port 16. In an exemplary embodiment, openends 128 and 130 are configured as #4 (¼ inch) male MS fitting ends.

In an exemplary embodiment, adapters 132 and 134 are fluidly anddirectly coupled together and interposed between fitting 122 and hose136. Adapter 132 has an adapter open end 142 that is fluidly anddirectly coupled to open end 128 of fitting 122. As such, adapter openend 142 is sized with corresponding threading to match open end 128 offitting 122. Adapter 134 has an adapter open end 144 that is in fluidcommunication with adapter open end 142 and that is fluidly and directlycoupled to distal hose end 146 of hose 136. As such, adapter open end144 is sized to match distal hose end 146.

In an exemplary embodiment, hose 136 is a high-pressure (HP) hose havinga ¼ inch inner diameter (ID) and a length of from about 6 to about 16inches, for example about 10 inches. In an exemplary embodiment, distalhose end 146 of hose 136 that is coupled to adapter 134 is configured asa #4 (¼ inch) female MS fitting end. Further, hose 136 has a proximalhose end 148 that is in fluid communication with distal hose end 146 andadapter 138. In an exemplary embodiment, proximal hose end 148 isconfigured as a #4 (¼ inch) female MS fitting end.

In an exemplary embodiment, adapters 138 and 140 are fluidly anddirectly coupled together and interposed between hose 136 and hose 42.Adapter 138 has an adapter open end 150 that is fluidly and directlycoupled to proximal hose end 148 of hose 136. Adapter 140 has an adapteropen end 152 that is in fluid communication with adapter open end 150and that is fluidly and directly coupled to distal hose end 146 of hose42. In an exemplary embodiment, adapter open end 150 is configured as a#4 (¼ inch) male AN fitting end, and adapter open end 152 is configuredas a #16 (1 inch) male AN fitting end. As such, in an exemplaryembodiment, open fluid communication between ejection port 16 and hose42 is provided via fitting 122, adapters 132 and 134, hose 136, andadapters 138 and 140.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a non-limiting embodiment of amethod 200 for capturing an emission emanating from an ejection port ofa vehicle. At step 202, an emission-capturing apparatus is positionedproximate to the ejection port of the vehicle. With continuing referenceto FIGS. 10-12, in some exemplary embodiments, the emission-capturingapparatus may be emission-capturing apparatus 120, described above.Therefore, for the sake of brevity, a detailed description of thecomponents of the emission-capturing apparatus will be omitted.

At step 204, the fitting of the emission-capturing apparatus is fluidlycoupled to an end section of the ejection port. This step may entaildirectly coupling an open end of the fitting via threaded engagement tothe end section of the ejection port.

At step 206, the emissions from the ejection port are captured by theemission-capturing apparatus. This may occur during a blow down test orduring any other activity that causes an emission to be emitted from theejection port.

At step 208, the fitting is decoupled from the end section of theejection port. This step may entail observing a pressure gage associatedwith the tank of the emission-capturing apparatus and waiting until theinternal pressure of the tank has returned to ambient before decouplingthe fitting from the end section of the ejection port.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description of the disclosure, it should beappreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also beappreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments areonly examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability,or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoingdetailed description will provide those skilled in the art with aconvenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. It being understood that various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements described in an exemplaryembodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An emission-capturing apparatus for use inconjunction with a vehicle that includes an ejection port with an endsection, the emission-capturing apparatus comprising: a tank having aninlet and an outlet, an internal ambient pressure of the tank being atleast equal to an external ambient pressure at all times; a mufflerfluidly coupled with the outlet, the muffler configured to interceptfluid exiting the outlet, to permit passage of gas through the muffler,and to inhibit passage of liquid through the muffler such that theliquid drains back into the tank; a hose having a tank end and a distalend, the tank end fluidly coupled to the inlet of the tank; and afitting fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose and configured tobe fluidly coupled to the end section of the ejection port to receive anemission from the ejection port.
 2. The emission-capturing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fitting has a first open end that is fluidlycoupled to the distal end of the hose and a second open end configuredto be fluidly coupled to the end section of the ejection port.
 3. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fitting is an elbowfitting.
 4. The emission-capturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein theelbow fitting has first and second quarter inch (#4) male MS fittingends that correspondingly define the first and second open ends.
 5. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising anadditional hose that is disposed between the hose and the fitting andthat fluidly couples the first open end of the fitting to the distal endof the hose, wherein the additional hose has a proximal additional hoseend that is fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose and a distaladditional hose end that is fluidly coupled to the first open end of thefitting.
 6. The emission-capturing apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising at least one adapter disposed between the additional hose andthe fitting and having a first adapter open end that is fluidly coupledto the distal additional hose end and a second adapter open end that isfluidly coupled to the first open end of the fitting.
 7. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the additional hose isa quarter inch inner diameter (ID) high pressure (HP) hose.
 8. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least oneadapter disposed between the hose and the additional hose and having afirst adapter open end that is fluidly coupled to the distal end of thehose and a second adapter open end that is fluidly coupled to theproximal additional hose end of the additional hose.
 9. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least oneadapter has a first inch (#16) male AN fitting end that define the firstadapter open end and a second quarter inch (#4) male AN fitting end thatdefine the second adapter open end.
 10. The emission-capturing apparatusof claim 8, wherein the at least one adapter includes a first adapterhaving the first adapter open end and a second adapter that is fluidlycoupled to the first adapter and that has the second adapter open end.11. The emission-capturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tankfurther includes a drain.
 12. The emission-capturing apparatus of claim11, wherein the drain comprises a conduit and a valve.
 13. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a secondmuffler, wherein the tank has a second outlet and wherein the secondmuffler is fluidly coupled with the second outlet, the second mufflerconfigured to intercept fluid exiting the second outlet, to permit thepassage of gas through the muffler, and to inhibit the passage of liquidthrough the muffler.
 14. The emission-capturing apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a pressure gage fluidly coupled with the tank andconfigured to detect and display a pressure within the tank.
 15. Theemission-capturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carthaving a plurality of wheels, wherein the tank is mounted to the cart.16. A method for capturing an emission emanating from an end section ofan ejection port of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:positioning an emission-capturing apparatus proximate the ejection port,the emission-capturing apparatus including a tank having an inlet and anoutlet, wherein an internal ambient pressure of the tank being at leastequal to an external ambient pressure at all times, a muffler fluidlycoupled with the outlet, the muffler configured to intercept fluidexiting the outlet, to permit passage of gas through the muffler, and toinhibit passage of liquid through the muffler such that the liquiddrains back into the tank, a hose having a tank end and a distal end,the tank end fluidly coupled to the inlet of the tank, and a fittingfluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose and configured to befluidly coupled to the end section of the ejection port to receive theemission from the ejection port; fluidly coupling the fitting to the endsection of the ejection port; and capturing the emission emanating fromthe ejection port with the emission-capturing apparatus.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the fitting has a first open end that is fluidlycoupled to the distal end of the hose and a second open end configuredto be fluidly coupled to the end section of the ejection port, andwherein positioning the emission-capturing apparatus comprisespositioning, proximate to the ejection port, the emission-capturingapparatus that further includes an additional hose having a proximaladditional hose end that is fluidly coupled to the distal end of thehose and a distal additional hose end that is fluidly coupled to thefirst open end of the fitting.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinpositioning the emission-capturing apparatus comprises positioning,proximate to the ejection port, the emission-capturing apparatus thatfurther includes at least one adapter disposed between the additionalhose and the fitting, the at least one adapter having a first adapteropen end that is fluidly coupled to the distal additional hose end and asecond adapter open end that is fluidly coupled to the first open end ofthe fitting.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein positioning theemission-capturing apparatus comprises positioning, proximate to theejection port, the emission-capturing apparatus that further includes atleast one adapter disposed between the hose and the additional hose andhaving a first adapter open end that is fluidly coupled to the distalend of the hose and a second adapter open end that is fluidly coupled tothe proximal additional hose end of the additional hose.
 20. The methodof claim 16, further comprising the step of decoupling the fitting fromthe end section of the ejection port when the emission has been capturedby the emission-capturing apparatus.